With the legislative session having wrapped up last Friday night around 10 p.m., significant topics, including reading, chronic absenteeism, math, rethinking high school, etc were addressed. During a “short session,” the days are LONG, and yet they fly by! And, while it is very welcomed, it’s hard to believe we’re entering spring break season.
Next week I’ll provide a summary of the legislative session, and just as we did last year, our team will build out legislative guidance detailing everything you need to know…but this week, I want to focus on the balance of life and work.
Over the next two to three weeks, the majority of Indiana schools will take a week (a few schools take two weeks) for spring break. It can be tough to slow down during the year, especially if you’re an educator and a parent. However, it is important to have a couple of times each year that are totally reserved for “family time.” For my family, spring break is a time when we really try to unplug.
Whether your spring break is next week or occurring soon thereafter, I challenge you to also take some time to slow down, unplug from work, social media, and the chaos of the world to enjoy time with your family and friends. We’ll be back at it soon enough to finish the year strong for our students.
As always, thank you for all that you do!
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Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Graduation Pathway Requirements
Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-32-4-1.5, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) established the use of the ASVAB to meet graduation pathway requirements. Beginning with the 2025 graduation cohort, HEA 1635 requires students electing to use the ASVAB as a means for meeting graduation pathway requirements to also fill out the Military Enlistment Intent Form. Students graduating in the 2023 and 2024 cohorts who have earned a qualifying ASVAB score, as determined by SBOE, prior to July 1, 2023, will be able to utilize previously earned ASVAB scores without a signed Military Enlistment Intent Form to fulfill their graduation pathway requirements. Learn more here. Contact IDOE's Student Pathways team with any questions.
Graduation Waiver Caps
As outlined in Indiana Code (IC) 20-26-13-10, for purposes of calculating the 2024 graduation rate, Indiana schools may not count more than 9% of their graduation cohort as graduating if utilizing postsecondary ready competency waivers. Schools exceeding the 9% cap will receive an adjusted state graduation rate. Postsecondary ready competency graduation waivers will be capped at 6% for the 2025 cohort and 3% for the 2026 cohort and beyond. In December, schools received a letter with their 2023 graduation rates along their post-secondary competency waiver rates. The letter provided a breakdown of how the 9% cap would impact their graduation rate, which should be considered when helping the class of 2024 meet their graduation requirements. Contact studentpathways@doe.in.gov with questions regarding postsecondary ready competency qualifications, or schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with questions regarding the calculation of the graduation rate or the cohort report.
NEW: IREAD-3 Reporting Category Scores
IREAD-3 reporting category scores were updated in 2024 to reflect performance levels rather than percent correct. Overall proficiency scores for IREAD-3 have not changed. The updated reporting structure considers the number of items a student answers correctly and the item characteristics (the knowledge and skills required by the item). The score report is generated using information from the student assessment that can confirm if the student is At/Near, Below, or Above the required content for each domain. The cut scores used to calculate and determine the reporting category groupings are aligned to the cut scores on the assessment.
Grade 3 has only two overall performance levels: “Pass” and “Did Not Pass.” These are operationalized into three groupings on the reporting categories: Below, At/Near, and Above where At/Near and Above levels correspond more closely to the “Pass” category. Grade 2 has three overall performance levels: “At Risk”, “On Track”, and “Pass” where “On Track” reflects expected student ability at grade 2 and “Pass” reflects the achievement expected at grade 3.
Due to the small number and foundational nature of items in the Reading: Foundations and Vocabulary segment of IREAD-3, most students will fall into either Below or At/Near proficiency for this domain at grade 3. The item characteristics are foundational and therefore do not lend themselves to demonstration of ability above the “Pass” requirement. Students who perform well overall will often see At/Near the standard reflected on this reporting category, and this is accurate as they have demonstrated proficiency for this foundational domain. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: SAT School Day Spring 2024 Primary Testing Window Closes Today, Friday, March 15
The SAT School Day Spring 2024 primary testing window closes today, Friday, March 15. Primary testing window scores will be available on Tuesday, April 2, for educators and Thursday, April 4, for students. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with participation and policy questions and College Board with any technical questions.
REMINDER: IREAD-3 Spring Testing Window Closes Today, Friday, March 15
The IREAD-3 Spring 2024 testing window closes today, Friday, March 15. Results are available in the Centralized Reporting System (CRS) within 24 hours of test completion. The last day to ship paper testing materials is Friday, March 22. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: LVIS360 Update
Educators applying for initial licenses or renewals in the next few months should log in to the updated LVIS360 system soon to link their LVIS legacy licensure data to their LVIS360 account. The new system requires users to create an Access Indiana account prior to accessing LVIS360. The Office of Educator Licensing recommends getting acquainted with the new login process and linking your new LVIS360 login to your legacy account now before the busy season for licensing starts in May. Administrators, please encourage your teachers to log in soon. Access the user portal here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Licensing with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominate an Educator for Teacher of the Year
The Indiana Teacher of the Year Program works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. Local schools are encouraged to participate in an annual selection process and local Teacher(s) of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process by Friday, July 5. More Information on the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process can be found here. Contact intoy@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Applications for Spanish Visiting Teacher Program
Details for the 2024-2025 school year Spanish Visiting Teacher Program can be found here, or to learn more about the responsibilities of being a host school please click here. Districts can express interest by completing the application form here. Priority will be given to applications completed by Sunday, March 31. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Open for the Indiana History Teacher of the Year Award
In partnership with IDOE, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History awards the Indiana History Teacher of the Year title each year in its effort to promote the study and love of American history. State winners are then considered for the National History Teacher of the Year award. For more information about the nomination process and to nominate an Indiana history teacher, click here. Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana Teacher of the Year Speaker Request
The Office of Educator Talent invites you to request the Indiana Teacher of the Year to be a guest speaker at your next event. Take advantage of the opportunity to help celebrate teaching and uplift the profession. Requests may be submitted here. For more information on the Indiana Teacher of the Year program, contact intoy@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Indiana STEM Educator Expansion Program (I-STEM) Registration Now Available
IDOE is partnering with Educational Service Centers (ESCs) of Indiana to strengthen Indiana’s STEM educator pipeline. The I-STEM partnership provides support for both currently licensed teachers in non-STEM areas and prospective teachers who are not licensed but hold a bachelor’s degree, to become licensed to teach in a STEM content area. Eligible STEM content areas are life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, computer science, technology education, and mathematics. Learn more and register here. Contact the Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
NEW: Refreshed Digital Readiness Dashboard Launched
A new version of the Digital Readiness Dashboard, powered by the most recent technology plan survey data, was released on Friday, March 8. The new dashboard features enhanced data visualizations and the ability to download raw data from any previous survey year. The authenticated version of the Digital Readiness Dashboard includes sensitive cybersecurity data and may be accessed through EdData with the appropriate credentials.
REMINDER: 2024 Eclipse Guidance
As was shared in a memo on October 13, 2023, schools across Indiana will experience the eclipse differently, depending on their geographic location, with portions of central and southern Indiana in the path of totality. Any determinations regarding instruction on the day of the eclipse will be a local decision, and local planning should be occurring now. Some schools will be in-person and holding special events this day, others will have virtual learning, and others have already extended spring break so they are not in session on this day. As a reminder, per Indiana Code (IC) 20 -24.2-4-2, schools are required to meet a minimum instructional time threshold, and waivers will not be granted due to the eclipse. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Building Physical Safety and Security with any questions.
REMINDER: Fall 2024 Average Daily Membership (ADM) Estimate
School corporations and charter schools may submit a fall ADM through Friday, March 22. For more details, please read this memo. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Form 9 Financial Reporting for January to June 2024
Please read this memo regarding Form 9 accounting changes for January to June 2024. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Summer School Estimates
The window to submit the Estimated Cost Report for Summer School 2024 closes Monday, April 1. Please read this memo for information regarding eligible courses, important dates, and financial provisions. Detailed information about the summer school programs and how to report is included in this presentation. Contact Teresa Hemmerle or Alex Waite with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023 Federal Accountability Notification Memos
All notification memos for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) schools have been sent to schools that were identified based on 2023 assessment data. Contact IDOE's Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions regarding status classification.
REMINDER: Next Generation School Improvement Grant (Next Gen SIG)
Applications for the Next Gen SIG are now open. This is a competitive multi-year, multi-million dollar grant, and must include a well-developed vision and intentional strategic plan to innovate or transform the educational experience for your students and their community. Eligibility for this grant extends to all schools currently identified as CSI and TSI under Indiana’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. Interested school officials can read more about the grant program in this memo. A list of eligible schools can be found here. The NextGen SIG application will remain open through Friday, May 24. Please review the scoring rubric that will be used to evaluate the application before filling out the application. Contact IDOE's Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual 1003 Flexibility Waivers
IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation is now accepting applications for 1003 flexibility waivers. Flexibility through waivers is offered to help support schools in their design efforts to improve student performance and outcomes, help to improve efficiency of school operations, and to help promote innovative educational approaches to student learning. Interested officials can read more about the opportunity in this memo and Flexibility Guide for Indiana's K-12 Schools. Applications are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, April 5. Contact Georgia Watson with any questions.
NEW: 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application Opens Today, Friday, March 15
The 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application is now open through Friday, April 26. The McKinney-Vento subgrant provides funding to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support the unique needs and challenges that homeless children and youth face when enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. The McKinney-Vento subgrant contract runs from October 1 through September 30 each year. Please contact IDOE's McKinney-Vento team for support.
REMINDER: High Ability Teacher Professional Development Opportunity
Dr. Ginny Burney and Dr. Kristie Speirs-Neumeister, experts in the field of high ability education, are offering professional development for teachers of high ability students on Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 8, at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Learn more about the Tuesday sessions here and the Wednesday sessions here. High Ability Program (HAP) Grant funds may be used for these workshops. Contact IDOE's High Ability team with any questions.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 Locally Created Pathway (LCP) Application Open
The application for new LCPs is open for any LEAs who seek approval for a new LCP beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Additional information about LCPs can be found on the Graduation Pathways webpage. Contact IDOE's Student Pathways team with any questions.
REMINDER: Diploma Seals Order Form
The online form to order diploma seals for the 2024 Cohort is now live. Please see this memo for additional information. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
NEW: Upcoming PREPaRE Workshops
IDOE, in collaboration with Project AWARE, is providing training opportunities for school personnel using the National Association of School Psychologists’ PREPaRE model. These workshops will provide school personnel with comprehensive training on how to establish and serve on school crisis response teams.
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PREPaRE Workshop 1: Two regional one-day workshops will be offered to school mental health professionals, administrators, and security officers from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time, on Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, August 15. Workshop 1 emphasizes the unique needs and functions of school safety and crisis response teams and the important steps needed to develop cohesive and sustainable teams that integrate school personnel and community service provider roles. The focus of the workshop will explore how to prepare for school crises by developing, exercising, and evaluating crisis preparedness plans. Register here. Space is limited.
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PREPaRE Workshop 2: Three regional two-day workshops will be offered to all professionals within districts who provide mental health crisis intervention services from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time. Workshop 2 teaches participants how to prevent and prepare for psychological trauma, help to reaffirm both the physical health of members of the school community and students’ perceptions that they are safe and secure, evaluate conduct psychological triage, respond to the psychological needs of the school community utilizing a multitiered approach, and examine the effectiveness of school crisis intervention and recovery efforts. Participants must be able to attend both days. The first will be held in Indianapolis on Monday, May 6, and Friday, May 10, the second in La Porte on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, and the third in Bedford on Wednesday, August 28, and Thursday, August 29. Learn more here and register here. Space is limited.
Contact Terri Miller or IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
NEW: Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM Course Now Available
The new 2023 Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM Course is an asynchronous learning opportunity for educators that incorporates unpacking elementary and secondary 2023 Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) for Integrated STEM, progress monitoring, formative assessments, and leadership/coaching strategies. Strategies for classroom implementation while fostering a supportive culture are supported through high-quality resources to support a diverse range of learners. This course is free and available in the Indiana Learning Lab. Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points are available upon completion. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Digital Learning Coach Grant Application Now Open
Applications for the 2024-2025 Digital Learning Coach Grant are now open until Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. ET. This competitive grant opportunity supports the professional development of individuals who spend at least half of their contracted time in a digital learning coaching role. See this memo for additional information and join the grant information session on Wednesday, March 20, at 1 p.m. ET to learn more. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Professional Development Series
Join IDOE for Virtual Learning Essentials, a series of presentations from experts, researchers, and authors, featuring deep dives into essential elements of virtual learning. This series continues Thursday, March 21, at 4 p.m. ET with “Selecting and Integrating Digital Tools to Support Standards-Based Instruction” by Dr. Lindsay Woodward of Drake University. Registration for this session is available now. Previous sessions are available in an Indiana Learning Lab collection. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: On-Demand Professional Development (PD) with IDOE - Eclipse Sessions
Throughout the school year, IDOE hosts PD with IDOE on a variety of topics. February’s workshops are all available on demand:
Attend future live sessions and view other on-demand content in the Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Imagination Library Guides Available
Imagination Library read aloud guides are available in the Learning Lab. For each book a child receives in 2024, you can find music and movement and related activities, vocabulary lists, read aloud tips, and connected book recommendations. Users need to register for a free account to access the guides. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with additional questions.
UPDATE: Week of the Young Child® Activities and Resources
Week of the Young Child® (WOYC) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) designed to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. WOYC serves as a time to reaffirm our commitment to the importance of child experience in all types of early environments and promote critical foundational learning. This resource and activity guide, designed for both educators and families, has been developed to support this commitment. Celebrate WOYC with children and families Saturday, April 6, through Friday, April 12. Educators and families can also register for daily sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab as part of this annual celebration. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with additional questions.
UPDATE: March PD with IDOE - User Request Addition
PD with IDOE sessions for the month of March are focused on Indiana Learning Lab user requests. Sessions continue next week, on Wednesday, March 20, at 4 p.m. ET with Positioning Yourself for Success: The Imperative for AI Literacy in Schools led by IDOE STEM and Computer Science Specialist, Dana Calfee. View a full list of February sessions here. To register for workshops, or view on demand sessions, create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or the Indiana Learning Lab directly and use your school email address to log in. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMIDER: Early Literacy Achievement Grant Distribution
Early Literacy Grant funds were distributed on December 27, 2023. Each public school corporation and charter school that received funds must submit their distribution plan and details via this JotForm by close of business on Friday, April 19. Please refer to this frequently asked questions document for additional information and contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any additional questions.
REMINDER: Foundational Literacy for Families Series
Join IDOE in the Indiana Learning Lab for family sessions on how to support children’s development of skills related to early communication on Tuesday, March 12, early reading on Tuesday, March 19, and early writing on Tuesday, March 26. All sessions will be from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with additional questions.
REMINDER: 2024 Digital Learning Grant Application Submission
The 2024 Digital Learning application closes today, Friday, March 15, at 5 p.m. ET. This competitive grant opportunity is available to all public-school corporations and charter schools who have completed the 2023 School Tech Plan Survey. Refer to this memo for more detailed information regarding grant priorities and important dates. To view previous grant projects and implementations, view our Digital Learning Grant Success Stories session in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Learning Lab Parent and Family Support Hub Video Now Available
The Parent and Family Support Hub in the Indiana Learning Lab features resources to support parents and families of students in preschool through high school. A tutorial video schools can send to parents and families is now available. This video walks viewers through the process of account creation and concludes with a short tour of the platform. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Science of Reading Experts Explain Series Continues
Join IDOE and The Reading League Indiana from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 21, for Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation Using Text Structures, with Dr. Kay Wijekumar. The Science of Reading: Experts Explain series runs throughout this school year and features nationally-renowned reading experts to support schools in shifting instruction toward evidence-based reading and writing instruction. Register for the sessions and view previous sessions on-demand in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Designing for Impact Next Level Computer Science Grant Application Now Available
IDOE launched the Designing for Impact Next Level Computer Science Grant to eligible entities providing PreK-12 professional development in computer science. Review the grant guidelines here and complete the online application by Friday, March 29, at noon ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW FROM TEACH PLUS: Indiana Policy Fellowship Applications Open
Applications for the 2024-2025 Indiana Policy Fellowship are open through Sunday, April 21. This highly selective leadership opportunity is a paid fellowship for outstanding Indiana teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy, learn more about the education landscape, and advocate for their students and the teaching profession. Nominate a teacher here and apply here. To learn more please register to attend an information session:
Contact Kimberly Nguyen with any questions.
NEW FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR TODD YOUNG: Virtual Academy Day
Senator Todd Young will host a virtual Academy Day on Monday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m ET. This event is for high school students who are interested in learning more about attending one of our nation’s service academies. This meeting is an opportunity for students to learn more about the admissions process and what life is like at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Additional information is available here. Students interested in attending the virtual Academy Day should RSVP here.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Curriculum Selection Workshop
Does your curriculum selection process need refining? This workshop will guide leaders through the selection process and offer suggestions for implementation. Participants will design a roadmap to select and implement a new curriculum with fidelity. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with any questions.
NEW FROM UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA (USI): Quantitative Reasoning Conference
USI's annual Quantitative Reasoning Conference is on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, on the USI campus in Evansville. This conference is intended for Indiana public high school teachers who offer a quantitative reasoning course or plan to offer it in the future. Participating teachers will receive a $240 stipend to attend, and two night's of hotel accommodations will be provided for individuals who live more than 60 miles from Evansville. Applications for this opportunity are due by Friday, May 3. The conference is sponsored by a grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund. Contact USI's Dr. Rick Hudson with any questions.
NEW FROM THE CEEDAR CENTER: High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities
Revisions and updates were made to High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities that address challenges in modern classrooms. Learn more here. Contact the CEEDAR Center with any questions.
NEW FROM JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT (JA) OF CENTRAL INDIANA: JA EduSpark Industry Tour
JA of Central Indiana is hosting a JA EduSpark Industry Tour with the National Weather Service on Thursday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Through conversations with industry leaders and via direct experience at a jobsite, participants will learn about trends, skills needed, and future opportunities. Educators are invited to register here. Contact Molly Baines or Lily House with any questions.
NEW FROM WARREN ARTS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION: 2024 Attendance and Trauma Informed Care Conference
The 2024 Warren Arts & Education Foundation, Attendance and Trauma Informed Care Conference, titled Building Hope: Finding Solutions for the Future of Attendance. A Journey Through Adversity and Trauma Informed Care will be on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15, at the Marriott North in Indianapolis. Learn more here.
NEW FROM ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): AP-TIP Feedback Survey
If your school offers AP, dual credit, or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, AP-TIP is seeking feedback from teachers and administrators. If you are a school leader, please consider participating in an administrator survey designed to help us understand your context and needs better. If you are an instructor of math, science, computer science, or English and teach in AP, dual credit, or IB programs, please consider sharing your perspective in the teacher survey.
REMINDER FROM THE IEP TA CENTER: Upcoming No-Cost Trainings
The IEP TA Center has a variety of upcoming, no-cost workshops for Indiana educators in Indianapolis. Review upcoming opportunities on the training catalog. Contact the IEP TA Center with any questions.
REMINDER FROM AP-TIP: Mock Exam Registration
Registration for the AP-TIP Mock Exams for Math and Computer Science A remains open until Monday, April 1. The Mock Exam is AP-TIP’s highest-rated professional event. The Mock Exam provides full-length practice exams (using previously released AP Exams from the College Board) to implement training on scoring in a format similar to an AP Reading. Learn more about the Mock Exam, review the dates and logistics by subject, and register here.
REMINDER FROM AP-TIP: AP Summer Institute
The 2024 AP Summer Institute sponsored by AP-TIP will be from Tuesday, July 9, through Friday, July 12, in Indianapolis. Training in a wide array of subjects across disciplines will be offered. AP Capstone sessions, Research, Seminar, and Seminar ELA, will be available at this location as well. Learn more about this College Board-endorsed event and register here.
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